Jonathan Brookins draws Erik Koch this September in New Orleans

TUF 12 champ Jonathan Brookins will finally follow-up on his season-winning performance when the UFC heads to the Big Easy on September 17 for “Battle on the Bayou”. The fight will not only mark Brookins’ return to the ring after defeating Michael Johnson in December at the Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale but his return to the featherweight division as well after a successful run at 145-pounds prior to joining the reality show’s lightweight cast.

News of Brookins’ bout was announced through the UFC’s website where his opponent at the event, Erik Koch, was also revealed.

The 22-year old Koch should certainly serve as an apt adversary when he meets Brookins in the Octagon this fall, as the Roufusport product holds a 12-1 record and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak with the trio of victories coming by way of a finishing performance in the first frame. Koch made his UFC debut in March after going 3-1 in WEC with an opening round knockout over Rafael Assuncao at UFC 128.

Brookins is also riding the momentum of consecutive wins (4) and was set to shoot for five straight at the Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale but was forced to withdraw from his match-up with Jeremy Stephens due to an undisclosed injury. In addition to procuring a TUF title against Johnson, the 12-3 Brookins has also emerged triumphant in the ring against Luis Palamino and Yves Jabouin.

The bout is the third pairing officially announced for the New Orleans event and joins Dongi Yang vs. Court McGee and Alan Belcher vs. Jason MacDonald on the card’s lineup.